Plant Min Zone: 4a
Plant Max Zone: 9a
Sunlight: Part Sun, Shade, Deep Shade
Water / Rainfall: Average
Soil Quality: Average, Rich
Bloom Season: Spring
Flower Color: Yellow
Berry / Fruit Color: Red
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Yellow, Gold
Evergreen Foliage: No
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: Yes
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Medium
Humidity Tolerance: High
Wind Tolerance: Medium
Poor Soil Tolerance: Clay Soils, Sandy Soils, Acidic Soil (low PH), Acidic Soil (low PH), Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 3' - 8'
Width: 3' - 8'
Growth Rate: Slow
Service Life: Very Long: 10-20 years
Maintenance Need: Low
Spreading Potential: Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Prune Shrub Sparingly: Berry / Fruit Production Will be Reduced or Eliminated with Pruning: Blooms on Old Wood.
Plant Grouping Size: Small Grouping of 3-5
Best Side of House: East Exposure, North Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Base of Retaining Wall Locations
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest
Special Landscape Uses: Naturalizing
Possible Pest Problems: Rabbits, Deer
Plant Limitations: Slow to Reach Mature Size, Lack of Ornamental Features, Short / Unreliable Blooming Season
Native Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is a multi-stemmed, irregularly rounded understory shrub native to eastern North America, including Eastern Kansas. Foliage is a matte bright green then turning an attractive yellow in autumn. The yellow flowers grow in showy clusters appearing in early spring before foliage emerges. Flowers on male and female plants look noticeably different. The flowers have sepals in place of petals and a very sweet aroma. Red berries are produced if a male and female plant are close together. Nutritious fruit is quickly eaten by several bird species. Full shade to part shade is best with average to moisture-retentive rich soils. Height reaches 6-9' tall in Kansas and Missouri. The name "Spicebush" comes from foliage and stems that are aromatic when bruised. Spicebush tolerates alkalinity, and in the wild is sometimes found in soils with exposed limestone. Some drought is tolerated if planted in shade; dry-shade experiments are in progress in Lawrence, KS. Use in the landscape as a wildlife friendly background shrub or grouping in shade gardens.